Best colleges for Geological/Geophysical Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and geological principles to the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems, including the geological evaluation of construction sites, the analysis of geological forces acting on structures and systems, the analysis of potential natural resource recovery sites, and applied research on geological phenomena.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 302 Geological/Geophysical Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.3901, a specialization of Geological/Geophysical Engineering (CIP 14.39), and leads most directly to the Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2151).
About Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and geological principles to the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems, including the geological evaluation of construction sites, the analysis of geological forces acting on structures and systems, the analysis of potential natural resource recovery sites, and applied research on geological phenomena.
See also: 40.0601 - Geology/Earth Science, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Geological/Geophysical Engineering program prepares students to apply mathematical and geological principles to solve engineering problems. This includes evaluating construction sites, analyzing geological forces, and researching natural resource recovery. It is ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of engineering and earth sciences, focusing on practical applications in various industries.
Students will develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics, alongside knowledge in engineering technology and design. Coursework typically covers topics related to geological evaluation, mining operations, and safety protocols, equipping graduates with the tools needed for effective problem-solving in engineering contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree116 graduates / yr · 10 institutions38%
- Bachelor's degree114 graduates / yr · 16 institutions38%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate64 graduates / yr · 3 institutions21%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.3%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Geological/Geophysical Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 340 |
| 2013 | 410 |
| 2014 | 443 |
| 2015 | 451 |
| 2016 | 536 |
| 2017 | 504 |
| 2018 | 500 |
| 2019 | 423 |
| 2020 | 410 |
| 2021 | 314 |
| 2022 | 331 |
| 2023 | 311 |
| 2024 | 308 |
| 2025 | 302 |
Top 19 institutions for Geological/Geophysical Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 145 | 64% | — | $64,503 |
| 2 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 74 | 82% | — | $68,694 |
| 3 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SDPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | 53% | — | — |
| 4 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 68% | — | $63,658 |
| 5 | Montana Technological University Butte, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 58% | — | — |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 7 | 89% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 85% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 6 | 72% | — | $59,070 |
| 9 | University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 61% | — | — |
| 10 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 93% | — | — |
| 11 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 5 | 60% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 90% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicBachelor's | 3 | 38% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 15 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 16 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate's | 1 | 22% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster's | 1 | 57% | — | — |
| 18 | Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJPublicBachelor's | 1 | 64% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 1 | 65% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Geological/Geophysical Engineering field (CIP 14.39) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 19 states
Where Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 1 | 145 | Missouri University of Science and Technology145 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 74 | Colorado School of Mines74 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 16 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology16 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 10 | Michigan Technological University10 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 8 | Montana Technological University8 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 7 | The University of Texas at Austin7 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 6 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities6 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 6 | University of Mississippi6 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 6 | University of Nevada-Reno6 / yr |
| California | 1 | 5 | University of California-Los Angeles5 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 5 | University of North Dakota5 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 4 | University of Wisconsin-Madison4 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 3 | University of Alaska Fairbanks3 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 2 | University of Rochester2 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | University of Arizona1 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 1 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry1 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 1 | University of Idaho1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | Rutgers University - Newark1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | University of Utah1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2151, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Geological/Geophysical Engineering program can pursue careers as Mining and Geological Engineers, with an expected annual opening of 400 positions. The median wage for this profession is approximately $101,020, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree. The job outlook indicates little or no change in growth at 0.7%.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.3901
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineersprimary SOC 17-2151 | $106,220 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~400 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
- Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree in Geological/Geophysical Engineering.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, writing, and active listening, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Mining and Geological Engineer, Architectural and Engineering Manager, or in other engineering roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 400 annual openings and a median wage of $101,020.
What is the CIP code for Geological/Geophysical Engineering?+
Geological/Geophysical Engineering is CIP 14.3901 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Geological/Geophysical Engineering (CIP 14.39). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and geological principles to the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems, including the geological evaluation of construction sites, the analysis of geological forces acting on structures and systems, the analysis of potential natural resource recovery sites, and applied research on geological phenomena.
How many institutions offer Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states, awarding 302 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates.
How much do Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers occupation, which Geological/Geophysical Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $106,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Geological/Geophysical Engineering field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $64,503, College Scorecard.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates, so its figures match the Geological/Geophysical Engineering program page.
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